Hillel at FIU's new director, Jon Warech, said in a news release,“I am thrilled and honored to be a part of this exciting new chapter of FIU Hillel."

“I look forward to bringing my past experience to the table and integrating a bit of Hollywood into Hillel and leverage it to benefit our fundraising and programs. I am excited to start the school year and partner with the students of FIU Hillel to enrich the lives of every Jewish student on campus.”

Warech is a Miami native who served as an entertainment reporter in Miami and Los Angeles for more than 16 years. He is also deeply connected to the Miami Jewish community as he has served as a docent at the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, a Committee of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, and twice led more than 100 students through the sites of Nazi concentration camps as a volunteer with the Center for the Advancement of Jewish Education’s Leo Martin March of the Living.

“We're thrilled to bring Jon’s incredible talent to the Hillel family, and welcome him as our new FIU Hillel director," said Lisa Weiner, board chair of Hillel at FIU, said in the news release.“With his background in pop-culture media, Jon has his finger on the pulse of what students like and appreciate. We are excited about working with him to continue the momentum that has led to Hillel’s success on campus, and ensure a bright future for our growing Jewish student community.”